The embodiments of the present document provide a random access method and a receiver, wherein, the random access method includes: after starting up, a receiver performing cell search and downlink synchronization to obtain a time reference; the receiver obtaining a distance between itself and a base station; the receiver selecting a random access format according to parameters and a load condition of the system where it is located; the receiver obtaining a cell radius supported by the selected random access format, and calculating a line-of-sight transmission time delay if the cell radius is less than the distance; and based on the time reference, the receiver transmitting a random access subframe the line-of-sight transmission time delay in advance.